VICTORY FOR GUN SAFETY: Following Tireless Advocacy by Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action Volunteers, California Legislature Passes Measure to Strengthen Concealed Carry Laws 

Since the Introduction of SB 2, Moms Demand Action and Student Demand Action Volunteers Have been on the Forefront of Advocating for the Passage of this Bill, Testifying and Sent over 4,000 Emails and Messages Actions to Contact Lawmakers 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, issued the following statement after lawmakers in the Assembly passed SB 2. The measure goes to concurrence before heading to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk and will address the dangerous conditions created by the Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen by strengthening California’s laws about who can carry a gun in public and where they can bring their guns. 

“Whether walking to the neighborhood playground or stopping by a local business, Californians deserve the peace of mind that these settings remain free from the presence of firearms,” said Lisa Henry, volunteer with the California chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We thank our gun sense champions in the Assembly, and Senator Portantino whose steadfast commitment to gun safety has gotten us to this moment today. We look forward to continuing to work with lawmakers and Governor Gavin Newsom to turn this bill into law.” 

“While the Supreme Court majority is handing down decisions that will put more guns on the street, California lawmakers are listening to their constituents and passing common-sense laws to protect public safety in public spaces,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “We applaud Senator Portantino and the California legislature for taking action to safeguard their communities.”

The Bruen decision dangerously lowered the bar for who can carry guns in public. SB 2 responds to the heightened risk created by the Court’s ruling by setting strong minimum standards for who may obtain a license to carry concealed guns in public and the type of training they must undergo, and creates clear rules on where those who have obtained permits are prohibited from bringing their firearms.

This critical legislation is designed to update and strengthen the portions of California’s licensing law that were weakened by the Bruen decision and to address the potential dangers posed by an increased number of people carrying concealed firearms in California, including by prohibiting guns from playgrounds, preschools, college campuses, polling places, and other sensitive locations. Information about gun violence in California is available here. 

In an average year, 3,253 people die and 7,293 are wounded by guns in California. California ranks 45th in both  gun death rates and societal cost of gun violence at $1,060 per person each year. Gun deaths and injuries cost California $41.9 billion, of which $1.1 billion is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in California is available here.